§ Miss Fookesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will urgently investigate evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake, of cruelty in the slaughter of lambs in the Salisbury abattoir operated by the Fat-stock Marketing Corporation.
§ Mr. BishopI was already aware of the Press report of 3rd August which I received from the hon. Member today. The local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 which continues the longstanding provisions concerning the stunning of animals before slaughter. My officers are in touch with those of the Salisbury council to give any possible assistance to them in their investigations of the allegations made in the report.